Generally within the Church of Jesus Christ there are not many encyclopedic or comprehensive sources for doctrinal, cultural, and historical topics. Meanwhile McConkie's Mormon Doctrine has left its cultural, doctrinal, and historical mark on thought in the church. While some entries reflect more speculative points and some points which are no longer culturally held in the church, overall this is a great resource. This edition was published in 1966 no less, supposedly at the height of when critics claimed the church was censoring or hiding certain doctrines. Its a worthwhile read for those who are familiar already with some of the doctrine and practices of the church. However it is not a beginner level book or for those new to church doctrine and history. McConkie was certainly not an apologist and for those skeptical of the church's history and doctrines this may be a "warts and all" book of doctrine and doctrinal thought (due to speculative claims and purely cultural phenomenon).

This book offers good insight and allows one to laugh at the archaic nature of the Joseph Smith Blasphemy. Here, one can look up a word such as "Negro" and find it has been policed to provide the LDS revision since they found the black race reprehensible and "a mark of sin" etc. The 1966 in the title is only a reference point for how LDS seeks to drop that which is embarrassing to the public like Smith's "Zelph" creation. Or to modify others such as "Mohnroy Moryanchemor" another one of Smith's fantasy people from the BoM, and make him more believable. Nice try LDS but no sale.